Pastor Julie’s Memorial Day Message to Post #23
Pastor Julie Han Gregg of the United Church of Garretson gave the Memorial Day address on Monday, May 26.
Pastor Julie Han Gregg was the featured speaker at Post #23’s Memorial Day service on Monday.
“It takes love, bravery, and conviction to lay down your life for others,” she said, then quoting John 15:13.
“Sacrifice is the cost of freedom and there is no democracy without freedom. Without democracy, society cannot thrive and be at its very best. In this divided time that we live in, it’s important to remember that all people are different, and we should honor and respect those differences.”
She quoted 1st Corinthians 12:12-27, that the body is made of many parts, each different and serving a function, and that the body cannot be whole without the sum of its parts.
“Our differences and diversities should be celebrated, honored and respected, because only together working as one can we be healthy and strong. Unity is not uniformity, it is diversity and devotion to a vision of working toward a better world, a world where Christ’s message of love and caring for one another holds sway.”
Pastor Gregg said that war has a shadow side. Not only is there loss of life, but there’s an impact on loved ones. Those who survive war may suffer for the rest of their lives.
She praised the work of one of her parishioners, Bob Bennett and Post #23 for their support of the “Be the One” initiative, which is helping veterans to live better lives and to cope with the stress and trauma that comes with war. Its goal is preventing suicide.
“Take care of each other, work together to make the lives of veterans and the families of those who have lost better, and know that all of us are worthy of divine grace, that God sees you and understands you, and cares for you.”
Pastor Gregg is one of two pastors at the United Church of Garretson. She holds a BA from Emory University, Masters in Counseling Psychology from Trinity University and a Masters in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, and is the Spiritual Director for the Sioux Falls Area. She was born in Seoul, South Korea and came to the US with her family when she was 11. She’s lived all over the United States, settling in Sioux Falls in 2005. She and her husband Brian serve as joint pastors for the United Church of Garretson and they have two children.
